A Clinician's Guide to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a group of diseases including inflammatory non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic cirrhosis, simple hepatic steatosis and developing stages of fibrosis. It is also connected to other medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. It can be diagnosed through various methods such as by studying the medical history, conducting a physical examination and through different tests. A few of the tests which can help in the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are blood tests, imaging tests and liver biopsy. Disease progression differs from individual to individual and is related to a variety of risk factors. A few of the major risk factors linked with NAFLD are hepatic oxidative stress, reduced very low-density lipoprotein secretion, imbalanced diet and lifestyle, and influx of free fatty acids to the liver from adipose tissue due to insulin resistance. The management of NAFLD can be done through reducing weight and improving physical activity. This book provides significant information to help develop a good understanding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of this disease. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of this medical condition.